ASCA 2017 World Clinic

Washington, DC- August 29-September 3, 2017

Dear Colleagues,

I hope you have enjoyed a marvelous and successful summer season. The ASCA World Clinic is now less than 6 weeks away and I want to remind you that our next price increase goes into effect on tomorrow, Saturday July 29, so all registrations that come in by July 28 or prior will save you at least $100 over delaying.

I think we have one of the most comprehensive clinics we have assembled in years, with plenty of content for the elite coach, the high school and college coaches and the majority of age group coaches from those working with novices to fast age groupers.

There is also the World Swimming Association Constitutional Convention where we take the first step to re-make Olympic Sport into what it should be.

Clearing the Confusion on Fat

by Chris Rosenbloom, PhD, RDN, CSSDJuly 19, 2017

When it comes to dietary fats, confusion reigns. Recently, the American Heart Association issued a Presidential Advisory on dietary fats and cardiovascular disease (abbreviated CVD, which includes heart disease, blood vessel disease like high blood pressure, peripheral vascular diseases, and stroke). The paper reviewed more than 100 published studies on a variety of dietary fats and their relationship to risk of CVD. (The entire paper can be found online at

Freestyle- Finding Resistance

by Glenn Mills, GoSwim Video of the WeekJuly 26, 2017

When reaching forward in freestyle, the hand needs to fly straight, not up or down, but just straight.

Why do it:

When setting up the stroke in front, some young swimmers allow the hand to rise up to create an early connection. This is a natural desire that the swimmer should become aware of.

How to do it:

1 - Start by asking the swimmer to discover resistance by focusing their attention on the extended arm.

2 - While just kicking on the side, move the hand UP and feel the pressure of the water pushing under the arm.

3 - Move the arm down and feel the water pushing on the top of the arm.

4 - Continue to experiment with raising and lowering the arm to feel the resistance of your extension, gradually finding the position where the water releases the arm, and it just flies forward.

How to do it really well (the fine points):

Most this to slow swimming, or alternate a length of discovery, with a length of swimming. To make sure the focus is on discovery, and eventually driving the hand forward, we tried to stabilize the swimmer with a snorkel and fins. This releases the pressure of trying to develop propulsion from the pull, and can help focus the athlete on what’s going on out front.

A Message to Parents: Why It Bothers Me That You Coach From the Stands

by Mike Klinzing, PositiveCoaching.comJuly 2017

When parents try to coach from the stands, Mike shares, it can be very detrimental for athlete performance. Kids often face enough challenges out on the court without a screaming parent, but adding a parent to the mix makes it very difficult and adds unnecessary pressure to the experience. Instead, Klinzing advises that parents cheer positively not just for their kid but for all kids.

The Seven 'Cs' of a Successful Athletic Program

by Kevin Hoffman, Coachad.comJuly 19, 2017

At this year’s National High School Athletic Coaches Association (NHSACA) conference in East Peoria, Illinois, CMAA Doug Smith presented his seven Cs for coaching. The lesson was a good reminder of the critical ingredients necessary to establish a successful athletic program.

Smith has been a member of the Illinois Athletic Directors Association for more than 30 years and was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2015. Here are his thoughts on what it takes to build a strong program foundation.